Below are two letters that two of the organizations have sent to their membership asking for their support and efforts in this matter. The other organizations are sending out similar letters. Each includes a sample letter that you can use.

I have been asked to post them here as well to ask YOU to help! We already know how powerful we can be when we put our mind to it - so let's go for it!

The more voices that the Minister of Health hears, the better, and that especially include the voices of your children! I am going to write a letter from the OASG as well as from my family, not to mention The Epi-Men!

My oldest son is 8 and we are just starting to educate him on how to read labels. Imagine how much easier it would be for all of us if we were sure that the allergens were always clearly labelled!

Dietitian Rosie Schwartz has written an excellent article on the food labelling issue in today's National Post (Arts & Life section).

She's bang on about how slow this legislation has been in coming. Remember to write a letter (see above) if you haven't already. Those of us avoiding "natural flavours" and "hydrolyzed protein" would really thank you for your time.

The article starts:

Quote:

'Natural' can be fatal
Ottawa should force food companies to list allergens in their ingredients
Rosie Schwartz, National Post
Published: Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Imagine not being allergic to apples but then having a serving of applesauce and experiencing a severe allergic reaction. That's what happened to Natalie Gordon, a Winnipeg researcher in human genetics, last December. The allergic reaction required a variety of treatments: high-dose steroids for 10 days and inhaled steroids, bronchodilators and antihistamines for six weeks. She missed four days of work and was ill right through the holiday season.

The rub is that Gordon isn't even allergic to apples. She has a life-threatening allergy to cherries. Just a small trace of cherry can prompt an anaphylactic reaction. The ingredients label listed "natural flavour," but unbeknown to Gordon, that included cherry.

I will be sending my letters this week. I also had my son write one. I thought I was going to have to convince him to take the time to do it, as his friends were waiting for him to play outside. But when I explained why I wanted him to write a letter, he did it immediately. Even he can see how important labelling is.

I've typed out the allergy letter so if anyone wants a copy in Word, send me your email address in a private message and I'll email it to you. It will save you some time.

I am writing to urge you to pass The Proposed Regulatory Amendments to Enhance the Labelling of Priority Allergens in Foods.

My child has a food allergy which is potentially life-threatening. I understand that Health Canada’s proposed amendments to Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations are designed to make allergen labeling on foods clearer and more complete.

There is no cure for food allergy. My child’s safety depends on the safety of the food he eats. We must choose our food very carefully, and rely on the government to ensure that the foods we buy in the grocery store list all of the priority allergens accurately on the labels.

This proposed legislation has been in development for more than seven years. It is time to make these amendments into the law. Please do not allow this to be delayed any longer.

It's very good/benefit for those who have food allergen. My son is going to 11, he has severe peanut/nut allergy, so I will strony suppor this and I will send letter too. Thank you for all your effort. Also I would say thank you to the lady who has provide a copy of the letter in the web, it save much of my time. Thanks.......!

The AQAA (Quebec) sent us a ready-made letter that we basically just had to sign and post. Easy enough, so I'm hoping a lot of people sent it in! I put mine in the mail the next day, customizing it a little so it's more personal. Anything I can do to make this labelling stuff easier to understand!

I will be sending my letters this week. I also had my son write one. I thought I was going to have to convince him to take the time to do it, as his friends were waiting for him to play outside. But when I explained why I wanted him to write a letter, he did it immediately. Even he can see how important labelling is.

Good news! We sent a copy of our letters to Anaphylaxis Canada and they contacted me a few months ago for authorization to publish my son's letter in the Kids' Newsletter. I've just found out it's now in circulation and my son's photo and letter are published. However, I'm in the UK and the people back home don't have access to a scanner to email it to me. So if I could ask someone here A HUGE FAVOUR and please scan the page where my son's handwritten letter appears and email it to me as a pdf or jpeg? I would be eternally grateful as I am very eager to see it! If anyone has access to the newsletter and can scan it for me, please send me a PM and I'll give you my email address.

My son is so pleased about this and I'm a proud mama! He asked me if his letter was going to change things... I told him every little bit helps and it's important to have a voice.

That's great!
Every little bit does help and it also helps him to see that he is capable of helping to bring about change.
I think that this is important to help our children feel confident and alleviate anxiety.
You have empowered him and you should be proud!
I don't get the newsletter, but I'm sure that someone will get a copy to you.

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